Erik Long
San Luis Obispo City Council
| Website: | www.longforcouncil.com |
| Why are you running for office?: | 20 years ago when I moved to San Luis Obispo, I felt I had arrived at one of the most beautiful small cities in California. In many ways, I still feel this way. However, over the last few years, I feel there are three issues of concern which merit additional attention; homelessness, housing and downtown parking. While I realize much has been done by various political bodies to address these issues, I am proposing that we undertake a far more expansive process that would allow for greater inclusiveness and the development of diverse ideas. I am calling for three summits starting in Fall 2021 through Fall 2022 to address these issues. Local experts from each field, state leaders who have implemented positive change while addressing these issues, university experts that can offer models from the international community on ways they successfully addressed these issues, the local community and local press would all be invited. Hopefully these summits can be held at the PAC, and designed so to allow for question and answer periods from the audience. It is further hoped that from these summits we will be able to reach common ground for ideas that can be implemented to the benefit and progress of our community, as we forge forward into the 21st Century. |
| What makes you qualified for the job?: | I graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a BA in political science, and CSU Chico with a MA in political science. I have taught, researched, analyzed, published and consulted extensively in the field of political science. |
| What are your two main priorities if you win?: | Address the city's $9 million budget deficit. Develop a post-pandemic recovery plan. |
| How will you interact with other governments?: | I hope we will liaison with other governmental elements when drafting SLO post-pandemic recovery plan. |
| What are your plans to help overcome COVID-19?: | Follow NIH and CDC, and state guidelines. |
| Which two issues are most important to you?: | Addressing the city's $9 million budget deficit. Developing a post-pandemic recovery plan. |
